Articulator



May 15, 192s. 1,669,462

, W. M. GAMBILL I N VEN TOR.

Willia/YI/. Gawzb IIL,

j ,gp ATTORNEY.

May 15', 1928.

1,669,462 W. M. GAMBILL ARTIGULATOR Filed Nov. 29. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TQR.

W'L'lIL'mn// 1171114 truded and protruded Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATESy WILLIAM M.

` 1,669,462 PATENT OFFICE. A

GAMBILL, 0F MERKEL, TEXAS.

ARTICULATOR.

Application filed November 29, 1926. Serial No. 151,486.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, Aan articulator having means to provide, combined oscillatory and vertical movements, during the grinding action and further with means for providing a retruded and a protruded bite.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dental articulator for producing removements and further wit-h means for adjusting the retruded and protruded bites.

A further object of the invention is toy provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dental articulator with a-condyle shaft and new and novel means for adjusting the position of such shaft.

A further object of the invention, is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dental articulator with a new and novel form of incisal pin unit of the revolving type and having as a part thereof driven means for bodily revolving the unit and for vertically adjusting the unit. Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dental articulator, which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, adjustable, thoroughly efficient and convenient in its use, readily coupled with a driving' means therefor, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. 4

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference f 11 is indicated at 13.

characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Flgure 1 1s al side elevation of a dental articulator, 1n` accordance with this invention. i

Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof.

Figure 3` is a vertical sectional view at the rear thereof.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 Figure 3. Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5 Figure 3. Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 Figure 1. Figure 7 is a section on line 7 -7 Figure l. Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 Figure 1. Figure 9 is a fragmentary view, in longitudinal section, illustrating an incisal guide unitand the lower portion of the revoluble incisal unit.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 generally indicates the base or lower bow and 2 generally indicates the pivoted upper or oscillatory bow. The base 1 has" its forward portion `3). ofmaterially less height than the remaining portion 4 thereof. The upper face of the forward portion '3 is arranged below the upper face of the forward portion 4'. The base 1 is formed with a depending iange 4. throughout. The base 1 at its rear, as indicated at 5, is of materially greater width than the intermediate portion or the forward portion 3 of the base 1. TheV rear part 5 of the base 1, at each end terminal thereof, is reduced to form a vertically disposed curved shoulder 5, The shoulders 5 are oppositely disposed. The intermediate portion of the base 1, as indicated at 6 gradually increases in width towards the rear portion 5. The forward portion 3 of the base 1 is provided in its top with a. lengthwise disposed slot 7, see Figure 7. The upper face of the forward portion 3, of the base 1, provides a seat 8 for a purpose to be vpresently referred to. The forward end of the high portion of the base 1, forms a vertically disposed stop or shoulder 9. Each reduced end terminal of the rear part 5, of the base l, is formed with a vertically disposed opening 10, see Figure 3, and extending downwardly therethrough is a headed bolt 11 provided at its lower end with a reduced extension 12. The head of each bolt Mounted on each eX- tension 12 is a resilient cap member or foot piece 14. 'The forward end of that portion of greater height, indicated at 4, of the basey 1, is formed centrally thereof with a 'depending extension 15 upon which is mountwalls of the slots 37 incline in opposite di-y rearwardly and outwardly and the other wall rearwardly and downwardly, see `Figure 3.

rl-Che condyle shaft is formed of two oppositely disposed sections referred to generally by the reference characters 43, 44. The shaft sections are arranged in spaced relation and coupled together by the rear Aportion of the upper bow 2, see Figure 3. As each shaft section is of the same construction, but one will be described, as the description of one will apply to the other. Each shaft `section comprises an inner cylindrical portion 45, a tapering intermediate portion 46 and a cylindrical outer' portion 47. rlie inner portion is of materially greater diameter than the outer portion 47. The inner cylindrical portion 45, in proximlty to its outer end is provided with a reduced polygonalshaped part 48. The outer part 47 of the shaft section extends between a pair of bearing elements 39, as well as projecting outwardly from the carrier 32. The condyle shaft, which is formed of the sections 43, 44, can be adjusted to various angular positions and when soA adjusted carries the upper bow 2 therewith, and for such purpose, there is associated with each shaft section, an adjusting screw therefor, indicated at 49, which extends into the slot 37, has threaded engagement with the wall of the opening 36, and bears against the outer portion 47 of a shaft section. The adjusting screw 49 carries a locking means 50. rlhe adjusting screw 49 can shift the outer portion 47 of a shaft section the desii-ed extent in the slot 37 between a pair .of bearing elements 39, see Figure 5. The said screw 49 also provides means for adjusting the carrier 32, so as to position the slot 37, at various angular positions with respect to the axis of the support 24. The screw 49 will hold the outer portion 47 of the shaft section in adjusted positions and the binding screw 85 will maintain the carrier inthe position to which it has been shifted by the screw 49. The extent of the shift can be gauged by the graduations 3l.

The upper bow 2 consists of an upper and a lower section 51, 52 respectively and said sections are hollow to provide chambers 53, 54. The rear end of the upper bow 2 extends downwardly, in a curvilinear manner, as indicated at 55. The rear ofthe sections 5l and 52 are provided with registering grooves 56 which open into the chamber 54. Extending through the registering grooves 56 and chamber 54 is an operating shaft 57 having its forward end supported in the forward end of the bow 2, and said shaft 57 'in proximity to its forward end is provided with a 'worm 58. Extending into the upper bow at thev rearfthereof, as well as being coupled vwith the 'shaft 57, is av flexible operating shaft or drive shaft 59 for the shaft 57.

The rear end of the llower section 52, of the bowl, is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed sleeves 60 into which extend the inner ends of the inner portions 45 of the condyle shaft sections, and carried by the sleeve 60 are set screws 6l for securing the shaft sections to the lower section of the bow 2. The sections 5l and 52 are connected together by the hold fast devices 62.

The section 5l of the upper bow 2, near its forward end is provided with a vertical opening 63 and mounted therein is the hub y64 of a worin pinion 65, which is fixed to the vertically disposed revoluble shaft 66 of the incisal pin unit. The section 52 of the bow 2is formed with a depending sleeve 67, through which extends shaft 66. The worm 5S meshes with the worm pinion 65 for the purpose of revolving vthe shaft 66.- The upper portion of the shaft 66 is threaded and engaging therewith is an adjusting nut 66 for the purpose of vertically adjusting the shaft 66 when desired. The shaft 66 is constructed of an'upper and a lower section and with the lower section threadedly and detachably engaging in the lower end of the upper section. The lower section is indicated at 69 and is peripherally threaded as at (O.

The incisal pin unit, not only includesthe shaft 66, but it further includes a tubular coupling member 7l which detachably engages with the threads 70 of the lower section 69 of the shaft 66, whereby said coupling member 7l will'bodily revolve with the shaft 66. Formed integral with the lower endof the coupling member 7l, disposed at right angles with respect thereto, as well as beingpositioned to one side of the axis of the shaft 66, is a cam member 72 coacting with an incisal unit guide, to be presently referred to, for the purpose ofimparting oscillatory and vertical movements to the upper' b'ow 2 on the operation of the shaft 66.

The guide unit for the incisal pin unit consists of av V-shaped trough 73 closed at its forward end by a wall 74 and provided at each side of its top with a right angularly disposed lengthwise extending-` flange 75. Formed integral with the trough bodyl is a pair of depending supports 76 which are mounted upon the seat 8. The trough body 73, intermediate the ends thereof, is provided with an integral depending arm having a squared upper portion 77 which slides in the slot 7, and a cylindrical lower' portion 78'which depends below the forward portion 3 of the base l. Threadably engaging with the cyliiidrical portion 78 and binding against the forward portion 3 of the base l, is a clamping nut 79 for fixedly maintaining the guide or trough in adjusted posi- Sti lo A

lport 76, seat:` 8.1

tiomwith respect: ,totheeseat '8a. Thireadaihlyi.` engaging with ithe` Wall 274s oit; theitroughf is an:.adaiustableescrew SQW-hichi coactssvalthV the freefendforthevcaml 72 fori adjzustably producing the protrudedz movementsi or.:

bites.; i n n In Eignre y. 9,J ot; theidrawings; 3 the `trou-ghi` forming amelernent` oftherguideg .isaindicatfA 'i Tliei horizontal angular adjnstnnnit*.innoner:`

direction of the condyle- :shaiftr` section: 4:3. -is f had against theraction oiia"strapspringr?, which bears against) the` polygonali` shaped: part 48 ofxsaid section', extendsforwardly ot: and beaas against. thefv pil'r;` 28'". and I: extends'. rearwardly ci? and bears;` agai-nsti the` pin 2911i. The horizontal f. angularA adjustment-fJ inf;- one directionf ot `.the condylef shaft section' A4; ,islhad :against the Aactionaof 2a.:.strapnspring85\, which is atrangmediintthe samef manner.Y asA the strap sprii1g182. y l

`Secured s to the. lowerf face KJof the@ upper bow` 2 and tol the upper: face: of .the/baserfl,y c are .l nionoplatesiindicated iatz84. i

YVhen the shaftsection tis.-angguilarly` ade. justed horizontally.- ina forwards. direction the shaftE section: .4451 is` shifted rearwardliy;`

due to the fact that the shaft sectioilsiare coupled AtogethenV by the ream end. of; thelfup per bow 2` and` nvhen :the shaft section i 44 ,is

. adi ustedu forwardly; the shaft-1 section;y L8-is shifted. rearwardly; The shaft' sectionsncalr; also-.be adjusted..upwardly.duetto -theeposis tioningA of. they slots, 3l' to entendi in., an 1.-. up.-V ward directionfandl.- said. shaftsections .cansbe adjusted downwardlya When:thefslots:are:` adj usted to. @titel-1dY in'. iaado-wmvardidirections The adjustment of.' the shaft sections hori-. Zontally7 `upward-ly orc downwardly is; had.` through, the. mediatal `of the: adjusting:Av screvv,s.1i9,` i y y The` trough 7 3,` has, secured.l there-with,I throughout .thecupperi face". thereof a. Wear plate 75 against Wshiclt.operates;the earn member 72, and `.thslatter t1tavelling-.against the inclined sides ofte ther g-uidef.v provide. foinV the oscillatory` and verticalV movements ot' theuupper how 2.?

The condyle` shaft` sectionsoian. bodily. shiftable pivots .for the opperhow 2,.:md: which are shifted lengthwise-1ct' .tlie-fslots.37,- against the actioni of. the springs.; 82, 88,1` whereby an. oscillatory. movement;- will. beV imparted '.to the boWf 2..

An articulator, Vconstructed Ain accordance-.-

`with this invention, provides.` arr. efficient means for grinding'. in the teeth toobtairrtm thoroughly. satisfactory occlusion for prof ducing..pertectingthe individual three point contact, the. rotation poil-itaA the inward slant,r t

;..the downward..slantandithe lincisal/slantl ont ther including-.1 means coactingf.with..` said;

theeooclusion surfacesottheteeth,.theresH fone eitiis thoughti thea-'1nany1.` advantages, ot aan articulation. in` accordancey f withii this i inf` volition,l .can ibe. readilyvuanlerstoodg .anda` al, thoughnthe.preterrmi:embodimentLofA the in.-` 7n. vention is as illustrated and described,..yeti itis; toi be= nnderstoodiithat:thefchangesin: the detailsfA odi. constructions cala` bezA had.. Which:v will l fall VWithin `.the scope of: the; invention' asClaimede, i c

lllhatxlnclaimnis: 1

l.l A; dental articul'ator.` comprising, a. rpiv otecl: upperboav, .ati revolillale. incisal point. unfit dependinglftherefroin and includinggat. its'i4 lower fend; an: angularlyz disposed i cai-n. gw positionedf to fone side. ot the longitudinal', axisot ithe-ilnit, .aidriven means carriedlbly saidbovv and. engaginfgr with 1 said uniti for"y revolvinggV it5 i a guide@ uniti coactingiJ with said cana to provide combined i' oscillatoryf and `vertical niouementsioi" said bow, saidiv guide .uinitf beingqbodily adjustable and Y in^- cludingnacans.:for; ii-xedly ysecurin.g;'iti im Lits. adjusted. position, and said guide unit iuroaf.'

cani ifor controlling protrudedny movements...

2...A.dental articulator'.comprising antini-l `cisal point. unit includingiy a. canna guide. unit therefor, 'said guide.r4 unit: carrying; ;ad-; justable fineansf. enacting-with. said i canr.L for: rcgi-lrlatingfprotrudedainoveinentsf.

B lna1 dental articulatoiu ai rotatahle'iiin cisail. point.1 unit tcomprisingfa vertically'. fdisf' posed shaft -Lincluding-r means. adapted .to be engaged: by a drivinggelernent thereforrlfor" revolving;` the-` i shaft; a...-,coiipli`ng inenibcrdea taohaloly. connected to lthe lower :end .of the.;

shaft,A and a; cani. carried i. byu and-:disposed at tri lght i anglesewith frespect to said member and positioned. throughout. to ionen side Q. of? the longitudinal axis.y of said member..`

4.. In,aidentalfartieulator a guide unit for a rotatableincisalfpoint unit; said vunit in-` cludingaiV-shapedtrough, `open at its rear end and -.closed atfitswforwardend, .means carried `by the e forward` end off the L troughv forcontrolling"` protrudeld 1noveme1its,. and zi. ineansdependi-ngfironi the tro-ugh for :seem` 1ng,it .stationary,A i

5i I7 `a.-.dentai:articlatoriafrevolubly ads justable bearing, means` fori an11pp er.-boiv pivot, `said .means formedio circular; body portion .providedlzwith diametrieally extending/gsl1otand a; i diametrically extending opening; coimnuaaiicatingf` at its inner end- Withfthefinner ,endeof .the slot, said .opening-` having; theWallaV thereof threaded for; en; y

` gagementnvithmn adjusting means for the,

boclyf portion and pivot`bearing elements mounted in opppsedmilieuy of: saidslot .fon said pivotr said,` hotly` portions.havingi itse outer faceplovidedlwithi as;ribflnshwvitht theY edgeeot the-slot ,and with fthefinner face` of.the.rib beveled outwardly, said slotfhavs` `ingranoppnaouter,enda.

1rat

6. In a dental articulator, an adjustable supporting structure for a condyle shaft section, said structure comprising a standard formed with an annulus at' its upper end having extending from its inner face an annular flange outset With respect to the inner edge of the annulus to provide a shoulder, a circular disk mounted in said flange and vannulus and provided with a peripheral shoulder opposing and spaced from the said other shoulder, said disk formed diametrically thereof with a rectangular slot and a circular opening having their outer ends at the edge ofthe disk and their inner ends opening disk, the opposed Walls of said slot being lengthwise grooved, the Wall of said opening being threaded for connecting a shaft section adjusting element therewitlnbearings mounted in and extending from said grooves, and said flange provided with an opening for the passage respectively of a locking element for the disk and the said adjusting element.

In testimony whereof, I aflx my signature 26 hereto.

WILLIAM M. GAMBILL.

into each other at the axis of the 15 

